(published in the March 2019 printed edition of Groove Magazine)

“Igniting the spark of genius in every child since 1872”

This is Dwight’s commitment to every child that walks its walls at all Dwight campuses: New York, London, Seoul, Shanghai, and Dubai. Every Dwight student knows their individuality is respected and their unique spark of genius is cultivated. This is supported by the Three Pillars of Dwight: Personalized Learning, Community, and Global Vision.

Three Pillars of Dwight

• Personalized Learning

Dwight knows each student has his/her own spark of genius, so it provides classes and facilities to nurture individual strengths. Teachers and mentors know that they encourage and cultivate this individual spark, thus creating a happy learning environment with happy faces around the school.

• Global Vision

Education under the Dwight system allows the students to share cultural experiences through activities that give them exposure and the opportunities to interact. There are trips arranged within Dwight schools as well as enriching trips to other countries where they get to immerse themselves in the local culture.

• Community

An integral part of the school’s IB education is training for involvement in the community through service and leadership. This entails engaging the students to go beyond their classrooms as learning does not cease upon putting down their pens and closing their books. Instead, the consequential outcomes of learning through community involvement benefit them outside their school life.

History

The tradition of education built on these three pillars dates back more than 145 years when Dwight School was founded in New York in 1872. It built an exemplary network of schools and became a trailblazer for an International Baccalaureate (IB) education. It is this excellent record that Dwight School Seoul proudly took on when it opened in 2012 and became the first IB Model school in South Korea. It received its IB authorization, thus becoming the first international school in Korea to be granted authorization across all three IB programs: the Primary Years Program (PYP), Middle School Years Program (MYP), and Diploma Program (DP).

Admission

Admission to the school requires compliance with the requirements set by Korean law for entry into foreign schools. Dwight goes by rolling admissions all throughout the year but acceptance depends on availability. Currently, Dwight has around 38 nationalities making up the student population of over 450. As a school designed to be a small community of learners, Dwight has grown in strength over the years. Students have ample opportunities for growth through the extra-curricular activities offered both within and outside the school as well as within Korea and immersion learning in activities and communities abroad.

Programs

Dwight’s athletics programs, including volleyball, soccer, basketball, and swimming, mean the students are busy representing the school in inter-school matches, especially with Dwight’s Korean-American Interscholastic Conference (KAIAC) membership. A wide variety of extra-curricular activities like robotics, broadcasting, film, and media offer more windows for personalized learning.

Dwight’s Makerspace is a haven for students who love to create and innovate. It is a place where creations come to life. Dwight also has an annual Traveling Art Exhibition where all the members of the Dwight schools collaborate and chosen art works travel to various Dwight campuses. Entry to the CEMC Math competition, the Science Olympiad and debate matches in the Model United Nations (MUN) add to the choices that students can engage in and be successful at.

There are choral and theatrical productions for students who choose to go the way of performing arts. A highlight of this is the annual musical headed by the school’s Arts Department. This has become an anticipated annual tradition that the whole Dwight community looks forward to. In addition, students travel and share the global stage with other Dwight schools during its annual music festival at Carnegie Hall. Middle school and high school students get a taste of community service on trips to Nepal and Cambodia and community projects here in Seoul.

Location

Dwight School Seoul is located in Digital Media City, a relatively new neighborhood in Seoul, home to a broadcasting and media complex where Korea’s major media and entertainment companies reside. The school features two indoor gymnasiums, an outdoor soccer field and playground, a large drama room, two technology labs, a library and gallery, two music classrooms with 8 rehearsal rooms, a rooftop garden, and a 400+ seat auditorium.

Members of the Dwight faculty bring with them a rich IB experience and different cultural backgrounds, enriching the school’s global milieu. They are instrumental in creating a community of learners embodying the IB Learner Profile: Inquirer, Knowledgeable, Thinker, Communicator, Principled, Open-minded, Caring, Risk-taker, Balanced, and Reflective.

MR. KEVIN SKEOCH –Head of Dwight School Seoul

“Dwight has a legacy of innovation and personalized learning that dates back to 1872. From the very beginning, we have set the mark for IB Education. Dwight was the first school in the United States to provide all three IB programs and we are the first school in Seoul to do the same. This success does not come overnight and our unique educational framework is built on experience, tradition, and a deep understanding that cannot be easily copied. We go beyond international education and the International Baccalaureate – all Dwight schools provide options for children who either wish to access the curriculum or extend beyond the curriculum through Quest, our way of personalizing each child’s education.  On a personal note, Dwight is unique in Seoul simply because our students are happy. This happiness shines in the children walking through our hallways. A Dwight experience is unique. One only needs to look at the daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly life of a Dwight student to see this. It is not uncommon for a Dwight student to be working with corporate executives on a future business plan. Dwight students come together annually to perform on the world’s stage at Carnegie Hall. They share ideas with other Dwight students through our global campus network exchange. Our students experience the world. A Dwight experience is unique. One only needs to look at the daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly life of a Dwight student to see this. It is not uncommon for a Dwight student to be working with corporate executives on a future business plan. Dwight students come together annually to perform on the world’s stage at Carnegie Hall. They share ideas with other Dwight students through our global campus network exchange. Our students experience the world. We can boast 100% university placement. Those who graduate from Dwight have met the rigors of a demanding academic curriculum that provides opportunities in the world’s leading universities. They remain connected not only to their school but the entire Dwight network. This alumni network is rich in history and deep in connections.”.

STUDENT TESTIMONIALS

As one of its original students, James had seen all of the changes that have happened to Dwight since it started seven years ago. He enjoys the use of technology and the school’s adoption of developments geared towards the future. Zac is relatively new, as he had been with the school for only close to two years, but his experience has been very positive. He particularly likes the school’s Makerspace where he is free to design and innovate using a variety of tools. The welcoming nature of all Dwight students across all grade levels and Dwight’s spark of genius made him feel at home. “I may not be the best student in academics, but the sports and afterschool programs have provided me with a way to feel at home here.”

Taryn’s transition from a big school to Dwight made her feel the close-knit community among the teachers, students, and parents. “My favorite thing about Dwight is how involved you can get within the community. There are so many opportunities that allow you to get involved both inside and outside the school. I have been able to be involved in many performances within the Arts Department, which has helped me discover what I love to do, which is acting. Being a part of the Student Council for the past two years has also helped me get more involved in the community.”

James and Taryn both plan to go to university after graduation from high school. Zac embodies the free spirit of a confident DSS student, “My plan after graduation is to take a gap year. I am considering either finding a job here in Korea (maybe at Dwight) or travelling and doing volunteer work.” Their Dwight education has imparted on them the three pillars that Dwight education was built on: personalized learning, community, and global vision. They are ready to carve their own paths.

School Info at a Glance:

• Student-to-Teacher ratio – 10:1
• Average class size – 18
• Grades (K-12) – Age 3 through Grade 12
• Boarding or Day School – Day school
• School Term – 1^st Term: August – December; 2^nd Term: January – June
• Enrollment Dates – Rolling, please contact admissions@dwight.or.kr to see if space is available
• Tuition – please contact admissions@dwight.or.kr for tuition information
• Diploma Programs – International Baccalaureate Diploma Program

Location: 21 World Cup Buk-ro 62-gil Mapo-gu, Seoul Korea 03919

Other international schools:

Seoul International School (SIS)

Featured image source: Dwight School Seoul

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